F1 looking to add more races in 'iconic' Asian cities

Asia
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Formula 1 commercial manager Sean Bratches is in Asia this week where he revealed Formula 1's ambition to add more Asian street races to the sport's schedule.

Bratches confirmed in Shanghai a new deal securing the future of the Chinese Grand Prix but underlined the continent's huge fan potential and the possibility of bringing F1 to 'iconic cities' in Asia. 

"I'm spending a lot of time reaching out proactively to cities ... and think ultimately we will realise more street races than we have seen historically," Bratches told the AFP.

"We will go to iconic cities where there are large fan bases, particularly new fan bases that we can activate," he added.

"We are very focused on bringing additional GPs to the continent here. We're in talks with a couple of cities to that end." 

Among potential Asian destinations currently contemplated by F1, Vietnam is rumored to be under consideration with Ho Chi Minh City as a possible venue.

While Bratches talks of Asia's potential fan base, several F1 sponsors, like Heineken, have also expressed their enthusiasm with the sport's planned expansion further east.

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